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In the aftermath of the 2014 EU elections, EU leaders and Parliament are performing a game of musical chairs over the lead positions in the EU institutions: the Commission president, European Council presidency and a number of other roles.

Who will take centre stage on the European level is negotiated on the basis of nationality and political allegiance and is due to reflect a fair representation of member states and of the political power balance in Europe. The EU elections have been promoted under the slogan ‘This time it’s different’: for the first time in history, the European Parliament elects the next Commission president, which has led to a institutional bickering over 'Spitzenkandidaten' and outsiders.

On 22-25 May, EU citizens cast their ballots to elect 751 members of the European Parliament. But MEPs will not be the only ones to perform a game of musical chairs: 2014 will also bring about change in many of the top positions in the EU.

Among the “problematic” candidate-commissioners, the one which the European Parliament would most like to disqualify at the hearings starting next week is the UK's Jonathan Hill. But this would amount to launching a nuclear attack. That’s why it is more likely that MEPs will try to “take the scalp” of a candidate from a less strategic country, an expert told EurActiv.

The designation of Miguel Arias Cañete as Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Policy in the new Commission has divided the Spanish political establishment, with the right-wing government stressing the importance of the position in Brussels, and the opposition denouncing it as "nonsense”.

Poles appear content to have their Prime Minister Donald Tusk elected Council President. However, as he is to be accompanied by his deputy Elżbieta Bieńkowska to take a Commissioner job in Brussels, Tusk's government seem to be entering the period of interregnum. EurActiv Poland reports.

On Wednesday (10 September) Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker finally revealed the portfolios intended for the new commissioners. The portfolios show that Juncker has kept his promises to the member states that sent female commissioners.

“He will be my right-arm,” said European Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker, refering to Frans Timmermans, as he unveiled his new team on Wednesday (10 September), promising a more effective European Union which can deliver results, and restore its lost credibility.

Elected Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker will announce the portfolios of the 27 commissioners on his team today (10 September). The next step will be their approval by the European Parliament. At least two of them have good reasons to fear the hearings.

Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker is now almost certain to get support from the European Parliament because he has secured nine women on his team - the same number than in the current Barroso Commission. Three of them will be his deputies.

Although president-elect Jean-Claude Juncker is still interviewing candidates for Commissioners, EurActiv has seen a draft organigram prepared by his services and dated 2 September, in which every single commissioner is assigned a portfolio.

Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker started interviewing candidates for commissioners on Tuesday, after all member states except Belgium presented their candidacies. Belgium is expected to do so on 4 September, though the Commission has not confirmed the date.

Poland has confirmed on Wednesday (3 September) Deputy Prime Minister Elżbieta Bieńkowska is the country's new commissioner nominee. Meanwhile, the Romanian government is likewise considering putting forward a second nominee.

Commission President-elect Jean-Claude Juncker yesterday (2 September) met with the candidates for commissioners presented by the member states. Belgium, the only country that hasn’t yet submitted a candidacy, is expected to do so on 4 September.

EU leaders elected Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk on 30 August to be the next President of the European Council. EurActiv Poland recounts his long journey from a historian and a private entrepreneur in Communist Poland, to the founder of the Civic Platform party, and one of the leaders of the European Union.